Women

Mammography does not save or extend lives and is not a justifiable practice. So how much money do insurance companies and consumers pay out for radiation treatment of breast cancer? This practice results in only a less than 1% chance of improving survival. Is this worth such a large investment when so many medical claims are denied and there is virtually zero coverage of preventive practices? from the Lancet 2000; 355: 129-134.

Each year, about 800,000 women around the world are diagnosed with early breast cancer.

Better Choices

Read more to understand the facts, and risks of mammography.

"BREAST CANCER BOOST" - Doctors at Innsbrook Medical University, Austria have found that a bone marrow test could show whether patients need chemotherapy drugs. Currently chemotherapy is given to 90% of patients as a precaution after surgery, though it only works for 25%.
Source: 'New England Journal of Medicine.'

Think Before You Pink!

Stop Breast Cancer in its Tracks

Some thoughts, Women's Health Month

More: Radiation has been shown in some studies to prevent breast cancer from returning in the short term, but it may actually increase the risk of dying from other causes. Researchers reviewed 40 studies that followed nearly 20,000 women.

Overall, radiation prevented breast cancer from returning in about two thirds of the women. When the results of all studies were combined, radiation did not improve the death rate from breast cancer during the first 2 years after treatment. After 2 years, women who underwent radiation were about 13% less likely to die from breast cancer each year.

The benefits of radiation came with a cost: the death rate from other causes was actually 21% higher in women who underwent radiation. Researchers speculate that the increase in heart disease may be caused by radiation damage to the heart and arteries.
Researchers state that for women under 50 whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, "There's a modest benefit (of radiation)." But for women whose cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes, whose risk of a relapse of breast cancer is low, the benefits of radiation are small, improving survival odds by less than 1%.

For older women whose cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, making a decision about radiation is difficult, since older women already have a greater risk of heart disease, and radiation treatment may increase this risk even more, possibly outweighing any benefits of the treatment. The Lancet 2000; 355:1739-1740, 1757-1770.

In the 1930s the idea to detect breast cancer in women using radiation arose. By the 1960s mammography was in common use. At the time the Health Insurance Plan of New York stated, based on NO scientific evidence, that this could reduce deaths in women. They knew radiation was carcinogenic. In 1973 the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society con-sponsored 27 Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Projects. In 1977 as reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine, from the work of Dr. John Bailer III, that mammography demonstrated NO increase in survival rates. Later Dr. Irwin Bross reported that at the "current dosage levels "the death rate breast cancer in women taking annual mammography would double. Since that time the death rate for women with breast cancer continues to increase. Bross stated further that mammography was the issuing of "death warrants with a 15 year delay in execution."

Natural Treatment and Post Partum Depression

Stress Reducing Treatment for an at-Home Spa

Breast Health Awareness

Pink Ribbons & Poison

Women's Environmental Network

Some thoughts, Women's Health Month

Women Denied Truth On
Breast Cancer Testing

Red Raspberry

Soy and Osteoporsis - SOY PROTEIN SLOWS CALCIUM UPTAKE

Calcium is essential for good bone health, muscle strength and normal cell function. Calcium helps build bone mass when you are young and helps maintain it as you age. It's important in the prevention of osteoporosis and fractures. Calcium alone won't prevent bone thinning but it's a critical part of a healthy bone program. High protein intake can either increase or decrease calcium absorption. Taking the proper form of calcium for your physiology along with balanced protein based on your body weight will help increase calcium absorption.**

University of Connecticut researchers found that the type of protein you eat affects calcium absorption.

Substituting soy protein for meat protein decreased calcium absorption.

Soy contains estrogen-like compounds called isoflavones that can slow calcium absorption. Many women consume soy in an effort to compensate for declining estrogen levels.

This may be a mistake.

Please Note: Soy is an endocrine disrupter, more on this topic because your Health Matters.

Tamoxifen has dangers too.

Tamoxifen Patterns
I (g) : Pulmonary fibrosis
II (a) : Acute pulmonary edema
IV (a) : Bronchospasm
VI (a) : Thromboembolic disease

1. Bentzen S M, Skoczylas J Z, Overgaard M, Overgaard J. Radiotherapy-related lung fibrosis enhanced by tamoxifen. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 1996; 88: 918-922

2. Montes A, Powles T J, O'Brien M E R, Ashley S E, Luckit J, Treleaven J. A toxic interaction between mitomycin C and tamoxifen causing the haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Eur J Cancer 1993; 29: 1854-1857

3. Smith R P, Dewar J A, Winter J H. Tamoxifen-induced asthma. Lancet 1993; 341: 772

Mammogram accounts for finding 10% of all breast cancer cases. The woman herself discovers the other 90% of breast cancer cases.

Although the numbers are recorded separately from other breast cancers by the American Cancer Society, DCIS, Ductile Carcinoma in Situ accounts for 40% of all breast cancer detected by mammogram. DCIS is abnormal (sometimes called pre-cancerous) cells confined to the milk ducts of the breasts.

from the work of John Gofman, MD, Ph.D.

"A dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant may see farther than the giant himself." - Didacus Stella, A.D. 39-65.

We begin this chapter with a reminder from one of the two brothers who invented the airplane, Orville Wright: "If we all worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true really is true, there would be little hope of advance."

Devra Lee Davis, PhD, MPH, senior advisor to the Asst. Secretary for Health, USDHHS: "I think Gofman is making a very important contribution. There's growing evidence to show that past uses of radiation may explain some of the part of the increase in breast cancer." Quoted in Your Health, Vol.34, No.12, June 13, 1995.

Mortimer Mendelsohn, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Director of the Radiation Effects Research Foundation in Hiroshima, and former Associate Director of the Livermore National Laboratory: "John Gofman is a superb analyst and has always been at the cutting edge of medical science, particularly when it comes to protecting people." A 1995 on-camera statement in the half-hour program "The X-Ray Effect" (based on this book), produced by London's 20/20 Television and broadcast over Britain's Carlton TV network on August 3, 1995.

Edward P. Radford, M.D., epidemiologist and Chairman of the BEIR-3 Committee (Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiations) of the National Academy of Sciences, USA: "Dr. Gofman is owed a debt of gratitude by the scientific community because he was one of the first people to raise the issue of cancer risks from radiation exposure." A 1995 on-camera statement in the half-hour program "The X-Ray Effect" (based on this book), produced by London's 20/20 Television and broadcast over Britain's Carlton TV network on August 3, 1995.

"AMINO ACIDS FOR HEALTHY OVARIES" A study in Fertility & Sterility journal shows women with Polycystic Ovaries can be helped by taking a natural amino acid called N-Acetyl Cysteine. Women in the study were given 1.8 to 3 grams each day for 6 weeks.

Healthier Treatment for Vaginitis - Boric acid suppositories for vaginal candida infections, and yes, it is safe. Blood serum levels of less than 200 ug/ml of boric acid are considered safe, but since it appears that there is no vaginal absorption of boric acid, toxicity isn't even an issue in this case.

There have been several published reports showing that a 600 mg vaginal suppository provides symptomatic relief in just 24 hours. It usually takes about 10 days of treatment (one 600 mg suppository capsule inserted in the morning and another in the evening) to wipe out the infection. If the problem returns, a repeated course of treatment of two to three days might be needed.

One study compared boric acid suppositories to the common drug nystatin. Boric acid was far superior, with a 92% cure rate compared to a 64% cure rate with nystatin. (Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and Human Retrovirology 97;16(3):219-220.) Both the capsules and boric acid are available at pharmacies.

Women can make their own boric acid capsules by purchasing boric acid powder in the eye care section of most drug stores; it should be packed loosely into size "0" capsules.Treatment for current yeast infections with boric acid capsules requires that one capsule be inserted as deeply as possible into the vagina morning and evening for five to seven days; women who suffer from recurrent yeast infections may use one capsule vaginally at bedtime twice weekly for prevention beginning one week after menstruation.

Refractory Vaginal Candidiasis Successfully Treated with Boric Acid Suppositories - Researchers from the Naval Medical Center in San Diego reported the successful treatment of recurrent, refractory, azole-resistant vulvovaginal candidiasis in a woman with AIDS. Azole-resistant candidiasis can grow even in the presence of an antifungal drugs such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), fluconazole (Diflucan) and itraconazole (Sporanox). Topical nystatin did not relieve her genital symptoms. Topical gentian violet was disliked by the patient because it stained her clothes and bathtub.

A 10-day, twice-daily course of 600 mg vaginal suppositories containing boric acid and a 5% boric acid topical lanolin ointment achieved a successful outcome. Symptoms were relieved within 24 hours. The patient tolerated the therapy well and no boric acid was detected in her blood. Subsequent relapses were successfully treated with 2-3 day courses of boric acid. The mechanism by which boric acid can control fungal infection is not known. The weak acid may penetrate the fungal cell wall and disrupt the cellular membrane.

While the incidence of candidiasis among people with AIDS has plummeted for those who are successfully treated with HAART, some HIV positive women may have refractory vaginal candidiasis and may benefit from the therapy.

Shinohara Y Todd and others. Successful use of boric acid to control azole-refractory Candida vaginitis in a woman with AIDS. Journal of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology 16(3):219-220, 1997.

Swate TE and others. Boric acid treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Obstetrics Gynecology 43:893-895, 1974.

Supplements Help Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrance -
"Despite widespread use, only a few clinical or epidemiological studies have examined the relationship between antioxidant supplements and risk of breast cancer recurrence or breast cancer-related mortality. We used . . . 385 postmenopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer between 1986 and 1988 enrolled into a case-control study on diet and cancer. Women were ...contacted with a single questionnaire to ascertain the use of nutritional supplements during 12-14 years of follow-up time. In multivariable models, antioxidant supplement users compared with nonusers were less likely to have a breast cancer recurrence or breast cancer-related death. . . Vitamin E supplements showed a modest protective effect when used for more than 3 yr .
. . Risks of recurrence and disease-related mortality were reduced among women using vitamin C and vitamin E supplements for more than 3 yr. . . This study provides limited support for the hypothesis that antioxidant supplements may reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence or breast cancer-related mortality."

(Fleischauer AT, Simonsen N, Arab L. Antioxidant supplements and risk of breast cancer recurrence and breast cancer-related mortality among
postmenopausal women. Nutrition & Cancer. 2003;46(1):15-22.)

Arthritis is a pain - It's also aches, stiffness and inflamed joints. At least 26 million women of all ages have some type of arthritis -- that's nearly two thirds of all Americans living with the disease.

Osteoarthritis responds well to a remedy that dates back to the time of Hippocrates, 460 -377 B.C., organic apple cider vinegar and raw, unpasteurized honey tea. The modern remedy glucosamine is also helpful for this type of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis responds well to MSM.

what women don't know about bone health can hurt them ...

For years you have heard how important it is to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in menopause to protect you from bone loss, but recent research has shown that this may in fact not be accurate, as bone health is dependent on many things.

The work of Susan Love, MD supports the concept of not replacing something that is not supposed to be there.
John Lee, MD has shown benefits with progesterone supplementation.
The work of Susan Brown, a medical anthropologist at Syracuse University Medical School, has established the importance of a broad base of nutrients and dietary factors to insure bone health.
Hormone Heresy, the work of Sherill Sellman, exposes much of the invalid information foisted upon women by the medical establishment.

Herbalists are doing fine work with women in an effort to teach them about the healing benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf, Red Clover, Sage, Chaste Tree Berry, and other herbs to protect bones.

What you may not have heard or read about is that Vitamin K, when given to post menopausal women, inhibits precipitous calcium loss, thereby protecting them from osteoporosis. Vitamin K is so effective that it can restore bone to premenopausal densities. Vitamin K, a fat soluble vitamin, is manufactured in your body in the large intestine or colon. In the large intestine naturally occurring "healthy" bacteria synthesize vitamins K and B. This is another reason to maintain a healthy colon.

Wholesome organic food will give you many choices for supplementing vitamin K in your diet. You can find Vitamin K in foods such as: cabbage, cauliflower, soybeans, whole grains, wheat germ, wheat bran, potatoes, tomatoes, dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, alfalfa, corn, mushrooms, oats, peas, and strawberries.

One hundred grams of the following sampling of foods, raw unless noted, contain the listed amounts of vitamin K in milligrams (mg.): quinoa 740 mg; adzuki beans 532 mg; peanuts 732 mg; tempeh 367 mg; pistachio nuts 1093 mg; pumpkin seeds 807 mg; almonds 732 mg; avocado 599 mg; dates 652 mg; figs 712 mg; raisins 746 mg; beet greens 909 mg; lima beans 570 mg; dandelion leaves 397 mg; garlic 401 mg; ginger root 415 mg; kale 447 mg; parsley 536 mg; spinach 558 mg; winter squash 437 mg; baked yam 816 mg; lightly steamed or poached halibut 576 mg, and rainbow trout 634 mg.

Vitamin K for better absorption of nutrients.
Important in dental and gum problems; spider veins on face or legs; osteoporosis; and health concerns where nutrient absorption is in question! The American Journal Clinical Nutrition Jan 1999 gave results of a study of 72,000 nurses who were followed for 10 years evaluated dietary intake and the rate of hip fractures. The results were that the women whose diet included more Vitamin K were more protected from hip fractures. Homeopathic Vitamin K can help with absorption of Vitamin K from foods such as green vegetables-lettuce, green beans, fermented soy foods, whole grains.

Aspartame can trigger breast cancer. In fact, while aspartame is known for causing brain tumors it actually caused more mammary tumors in original studies. The FDA's own toxicologist, Dr. Adrian Gross told congress that aspartame violated the Delaney Amendment because without a shadow of a doubt it can cause brain tumors and brain cancer. The Delaney Amendment forbid putting anything in food you know will cause cancer. Dr. Gross' last words to Congress were: "And if the FDA violates it own laws who is left to protect the public?" Knowing they had violated the law didn't phase them, they simply repealed the law. The FDA has betrayed the public trust, and does not warn the public.

Aspartame and mammary tumors is discussed in the doctor's books:

Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic, by H. J. Roberts, M.D.

Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills by neurosurgeon Russell Blaylock, M.D.

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER, ASPARTAME, (EQUAL, NUTRASWEET) LINKED TO BREAST CANCER AND GULF WAR SYNDROME
Breast cancer began to rise rapidly concurrent with the use of aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet), when it was approved in 1981 for use in dry foods and, in 1983, for use in sweetening carbonated beverages.

Between 1940-1982, there was a steady, annual rate of breast cancer increase of about 1% per year.
Between 1982-1987, the increase in breast cancer accelerated to 4%, annually. (ACS)
Between 1983-1988 the per capita consumption of aspartame quadrupled (mgold, USDA,)

Increased longevity is not the reason for the rise in breast cancer cases. Life expectancy rates have remained relatively stable since 1950, while the incidence of breast cancer has increased by about 55% (The Breast Cancer Prevention Program, Samuel S. Epstein, M.D. and David Steinman), Macmillan, 1997)

Beauty to Die For

Gentle Birth - an informational resource site for midwifery, and related topics

Did you know: effective, natural birth control methods include hypnotherapy and astrology?

Excerpts from Louise Hay

purchase Heartland Natural™ Progesterone Cream from the Leaflady

FRIDAY, Feb. 25 -- Women with a hormone-linked condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may also be at increased risk for liver disease, a new study finds.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is caused by hormone imbalance, and is characterized by insulin resistance that can interfere with normal ovulation and fertility.

Reporting in the February issue of Fertility and Sterility, researchers led by Dr. Jeffrey Schwimmer of the University of California, San Diego, noted that 30 percent of the 73 PCOS patients they studied had high levels of an enzyme strongly linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which also has links to insulin resistance.

The finding is important because many doctors are not aware of the link between PCOS and increased risk for NAFLD, Schwimmer said in a prepared statement.

It also means that many ob/gyns may not be screening PCOS patients for this liver disorder, and may even be treating them with drugs that are known to be toxic to the liver, he added.

Based on these findings, the researchers recommended that all women with PCOS be screened for NAFLD.

Use our liver cleansing help to begin natural resolution of PCOS

"SKILLED WOMEN AT HIGHER RISK OF CANCER"

Professional women such as doctors, lawyers and teachers are far more likely to die from breast cancer than unskilled workers. Among women in professional & managerial jobs, there were 52 deaths per 100,000 from breast cancer between 1986 & 1992, rising to 57 per 100,000 deaths between 1997 & 1999. Statisticians stated this means that women in the highest social group were over 50% more likely to die from breast cancer than women at the other end of the social scale. The report was in "Health Statistics Quarterly."

Professional women are the most likely to attend for mammogram x-ray screening. A study several years ago from abroad (Canada, I think) showed that women who were diagnosed by mammogram had a poorer outcome. Could this be cell damage from low level radiation from X-rays? from the UK July 03